Worldwide Divine Mercy Congress to be held on anniversary of John Paul II’s death

Rome, Italy, Jan 25, 2008 / 06:09 am (CNA).- On Thursday January 31, at the Holy See’s press office, the Archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, will announce the details of the first World Apostolic Congress on Divine Mercy, which will coincide with the anniversary of the death of the Servant of God, Pope John Paul II.

The event, which will take place in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican from April 2-6, 2008, will be presented by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, OP, Archbishop of Vienna (Austria) and the President of Congress; Fr Patrice Chocholski, General Coordinator of the Congress and Msgr. Mauro Parmeggiani, Secretary General of the Vicariate of Rome.

Cardinal Schönborn recently pointed out that the opening day of the congress would deliberately coincide with the anniversary of the passing of Pope John Paul II, “because he was a true witness of mercy.” The Austrian cardinal also recalled the words spoken by the late Pontiff during the consecration of the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki in 2002: “Apart from the mercy of God, there is no other source of hope for humanity.”

Lagiewniki is the small city in Poland where St. Faustina Kowlaska (1905-1938) received the visions that would lead to the devotion of Divine Mercy.

St. Faustina was canonized by John Paul II on April 30, 2000; on that same day he also established the second Sunday of Easter as the Feast of Divine Mercy.